The Dandy Town Hornets travelled to the east yesterday, but unlike the wise men of the holiday season just past, they did not come bearing gifts.

Instead they came to take a gift from the fading Boulevard Blazers at St.

David's as they defeated the home team for the third time in as many meetings.

A lone strike by the ever-dangerous Wayne Campbell midway through the first half was the difference between the two teams, with Town joining Boulevard on 15 points, though they trail in third place on goal difference in the Coca-Cola First Division.

There was also wisdom in Town's play, as they effectively shut down Boulevard's short-passing game and forced the home team to resort to a long ball game that they could never come to grips with.

Campbell, Wylie Rudo and Troy Durham proved more than a match for this type of attack, and they comfortably marshalled the area in front of their goalkeeper, Cymande Davis.

On the few occassions that Boulevard created chances in the first half, abysmal finishing was to be their own nemisis. Very early in the match Carlos Pearman laid on a perfect cross for striker Kenny Hill, but he miserably screwed his attempted volley well wide of the goal from inside the penalty area.

In fact, the only real chances that came for the Blazers in the first half unfortunately fell to the feet of Hill, who was woefully out of touch. His most glaring miss came late in the half when the ball fell to him on the edge of the Town six-yard box. With everyone expecting more, there was a collective moan as the ball bounced off his legs and out of play.

Town, however, had much more direction in their play. When they attacked they attacked in numbers and continually stretched the Boulevard defence.

Only 10 minutes into the match, poor communication between Wayne Richardson and Dean Boyles presented Carlos Smith with the ball and a clear run at the Blazers' goal. But, with only goalkeeper Lynn Tucker to beat, he whistled his shot well high of the target.

After a sustained period of pressure that produced no less than four corners, Town finally broke the deadlock and scored what was to be the winning goal.

A corner kick from the left was well taken by Michael Wells who flighted the ball to the near post. There it was met by Campbell who connected with a deft, glancing header that beat Tucker to find the back of the net.

Town's burly striker, Jeff Butterfield, almost increased the lead before the half with a vicious snap-shot from the edge of the area but Tucker made a fine reflex save to deny him.

The second half saw Boulevard lift the intensity of their game but again they were thwarted by their own lack of direction, coupled with the solid defensive play of Town's back four.

The tireless Dwight Warren put in a sterling effort but he could not do it alone. The only real threat that Boulevard could mount in the second half came from his feet but the shot could only find the side-netting.

Town, though, had several opportunities to increase their lead but their own waywardness in front of goal was to deny them. Smith once again had a clear run at goal from the right flank but, when a shot appeared on, he elected to cross the ball. None of his team-mates were on hand and the ball skipped right through the goalmouth.

Shortly before he was substituted for new army recruit Paul Cann, Butterfield let loose with a well-taken shot from 20 yards. His effort looked destined for goal but it eventually sailed just inches wide of the upright with Tucker scrambling to cover.

The final minutes of the match saw both teams come close. Pearman for Boulevard lifted his header from close just over the bar and Durham was unlucky as he, too, steered the ball high from six yards.

Boulevard: L.Tucker, W.Richardson, G.Smith, D.Boyles, V.Eve, H.Bascome, C.Caisey, D.Warren, K.Hill (N.Hull, 85 mins), C.Pearman, S.Smith (A.Brown, 85 mins).

Dandy Town: C.Davis, L.Christopher, W.Rudo, W.Campbell, T.Durham, D.Boyles, K.Martin, M.Wells (T.Lewis, 73 mins), L.Furbert, J.Butterfield (P.Cann, 60 mins), C.Smith.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Dwight Warren (Boulevard); Carlos Smith (Dandy Town).

WRONG-FOOTED -- North Village's Sean Dill looks to have Earlwin Wolffe in knots as he starts a move.